Overview & Reviews

Kia Motors is a South Korean automaker that's relatively new to the United States. In its early years, Kia largely catered to budget-minded consumers with well-equipped vehicles priced below competing models. More recently, this growing brand has kept value a priority while also emphasizing technology and sportiness.

Founded in Korea in 1944, Kia started as a producer of steel tubing and bicycle parts. The company's name has its roots in the Chinese language, and means "to arise, to come up out of Asia." By the early 1950s, the company had produced Korea's first bicycle; by the latter part of the decade, Kia had branched out into motor scooters, with the rollout of the C100.

The 1960s saw Kia expanding its lineup to include motorcycles and three-wheeled cargo vehicles. Naturally, the next logical step was automobile production, and the company began moving in this direction in the early 1970s. By 1973, Kia had built a facility designed to make its automotive dreams a reality; its Sohari plant held the distinction of being Korea's first fully integrated automobile production facility, and went on to spawn Korea's first internal-combustion gasoline engine. A year later, Kia unveiled the Brisa, Korea's first passenger car. By the end of the decade, Kia's technology was being used to manufacture vehicles like the Peugeot 604 and the Fiat 132.

By the late '80s, Kia's lineup included new models like the Concord, Capital, Potentia and Pride. In 1987, Ford brought the Pride to U.S. shores, rebadging it as the Ford Festiva. Seven years later, Ford dealers got a replacement for the entry-level, subcompact Festiva in the form of another Kia constructed product, the Aspire.

Kia finally began selling vehicles in the U.S. under its own name in the early '90s, trumpeting its presence with the introduction of the compact Sephia. The car's rollout was gradual; in the early days of its production, the Sephia was only available in select Western states. By the mid-'90s, SUVs had emerged as a phenomenally popular and profitable vehicle segment. Kia responded with the 1995 Sportage, a compact SUV. By the end of the '90s, Kia's nationwide rollout was nearly complete.

Financial difficulties in the late '90s prevented Kia from expanding its lineup beyond those two models. Hyundai, South Korea's other major automaker, acquired the company in a merger in 1998.

Kia has been on a major upswing since its purchase by Hyundai, with improvements in build quality, performance and overall refinement. Reliability, previously a weak point, has also improved markedly and consumers' confidence was further bolstered by Kia's substantial warranty program. Today, Kia is on a dramatic upswing and offers a broad lineup of well-built coupes, sedans and crossovers that stand out for their value, performance and sporty styling.

User Reviews:

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  2011 Kia Sorento - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Bob - August 26 - 6:03 pm

  The Sorento looks and acts expensive, however, is very affordable. The V6 offers plenty of power, for full loads or towing, and purrs along smoothly and effortlessly thanks to the 6-speed automatic transmission. Shifts are smooth and unrecognizable, however, under full throttle, responds with noticable torque. Plus, it runs on 87 octaine. The key less entry and push button starter are fun, but keeps you wondering where the house key is. The Bluetooth commands do not recognize voice commands very well. The 3rd row seating hides nicely when not in use and are easily brought into function for younger passengers. Overall, the Sorento looks and is impressive and fun to drive.

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  Some Good and Some Not so Good - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Jon - August 26 - 5:10 pm

  We’ve only had the Sorento 7 months, but our first impressions are some good and some not so good. First the good things: 1. Love the body design and overall exterior and interior look of the vehicle. 2. The ride is very smooth and quiet, with ample power for passing and hopping on the freeway. 3. Gas mileage is above what they rated it to be. We’re getting over 25 mpg on highway and 21-22 in the city. and thats in the 7 passenger, 6 cylinder, 3.3 liter SX 4. It has a very short turning-radius for that long a vehicle. 5. The shifting is very smooth and the manual shifting works very good for driving in winding, steep mountain roads. 6. There’s ample leg-room in all 3 rows of seats, but the headroom (with a sunroof) is a little too low in the 3rd row of seats. 7. I like the manual shifting capability. It makes driving on winding mountain roads a lot easier on the brake pads. 8. The blind-spot warning and reverse warning systems work well to assist in driving. The visibility when backing up is not as good as wed like, so the backup camera and warning system help in that regard. 9. I like that the leg room along the "hump" (console area) next to your right leg is much better than in many of the other vehicles we test-drove--like the Nissan Murano and Infiniti QX30. Some of the not so good features are: 1. Entering and exiting the 3rd row seats is a slightly difficult. 2. The front seats are a little too firm, and the power lumbar is still noticeable even when fully contracted. 3. The steering wheel position could be allowed to go lower and farther out. 4. I liked the CVT transmission on our traded in Murano, so I do miss that smooth, quiet shifting.

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  BEST CAR EVER! - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By Alex H - August 26 - 2:38 pm

  I bought our 2007 Kia Spectra EX with only 4,000 miles on it. It is currently just shy of 170,000 miles and is still driving like a dream! I have never had any issues with this car, its been beyond dependable since I bought it 8 years ago. We have done regular maintenance (oil changes, tires, brakes, etc) the only thing we had to do was replace 1 front-end tie rod. This car is such a beast (in a very miniature package) that the factory brakes and rotors lasted 155,000 miles before they needed replacing. I was very skeptical about Kia when I was initially car shopping but couldnt beat the price and dependability. The car is overall comfortable, I am 55 and have more than enough room; however, I will admit that my 62 husband driving it does make it look a little bit like a clown car! My only complaints I have about this car is that it doesnt have cruise control and the front seats feel more like cinder blocks than the cushy seat facade it gives off! To sum it up: If you find a Kia Spectra, buy it! Its the best money you will spend...and now they are classics!

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  poor mileage - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Randal McEwen - August 23 - 4:10 pm

  I purchased this auto based on research. One of the main reasons was for the advertised mileage.I have to say I am extremely dissapointed. I normally drive my autos ten or more years,but not this one.

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  Sadona is the best value period! - 2016 Kia Sedona
  By John Girard - August 23 - 11:58 am

  It will be loaded with extras that you have to pay more for in other manufacturers vehicles. Whatever version you get it will give you value and reliability, this is just the most practical van you could hope for I am also blown away by the 22 mpg I am getting with a van.

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  Great Car, Great Value, Great MPG! - 2006 Kia Rio
  By Keith - August 22 - 8:20 am

  Was planning on buying a Honda Civic, but after test driving this 06 Rio, it seemed to be an equal in quality car, but cost $3k to $4k less than comparable Honda Civic. Ive put 7,000 miles in 5 mo. So what if no power windows? I can reach across and hand crank the windows with ease! It developed a leak under the frontal area @ 32K miles. KIA dealer replaced seal, still leaked. KIA dealer then replace WHOLE TRANSMISSION @ NO COST TO ME!!! Their warranty is the REAL DEAL! I wont hesitate to buy another KIA. I consistently get 30 mpg in town and at least 35 mpg on highway. I added power locks and cruise for < $600. I LIKE MY 06 KIA RIO!!!

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  Still Truckin - 2008 Kia Rio
  By cf - August 22 - 2:26 am

  What can you say when gas prices are over $3, 35 MPH +. I am concerned as others have expressed that the slow shift in the auto transmission may result in some type of future problems. My car at 46000 miles is getting worse. The service dealerships are too few and far between. Otherwise so far so excellent. No problems just regular maintenence. I own 2 Hondas and have the Kia as a work car and drive it excessively. I dont even get into the Hondas, a real shame that I am paying for them.The lx version with power package has 6 speakers and one is blown, so annoying. Great system for such an inexpensive car though.

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  08 Base Rio - 2008 Kia Rio
  By Mike - August 22 - 1:23 am

  Bought this to replace my 95 Honda Civic. Need a dependable work car for long commutes. Base is no frills, less things to fail or wear out. Love no power steering! So far, this ride is great. Comfortable, solid and classy for the $ spent. ($10K for a brand new ride with a 100K power train warranty.) Does not even have a radio, but is wired for one with speakers. Most folks replace the factory radio anyway, so this is a great approach for a custom ride.

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  Nice Car - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By thunderfootjk - August 20 - 11:40 am

  I bought this car last week it had 24000 miles on it and still had a last of factory warrant lest on it. The car drives very nice, and handles well, very comfortable and great sound system. Im glad I got this car.

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  I Love my Sorento! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By MAF - August 19 - 10:36 am

  I have only had my Sorento for a few weeks, but WOW! I cant find anything negative to say about it. I traded in an 04 Jeep Liberty and dont miss it a bit. This Sorento is everything I wanted and then some.